The Orthopedic Services at Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC) are in the top 10% in the nation according to a new report from Healthgrades, the leading provider of information to help consumers make an informed decision about a physician or hospital. The report, American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, evaluates how approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for nearly 30 of the most common conditions treated and procedures performed from 2009 through 2011.

Hospital outcomes and complication rates are important in the eyes of consumers making choices today about their healthcare. According to new research conducted by Harris Interactive for Healthgrades, 90% of Americans in 27 top designated market areas agree they would be more likely to choose—or not choose—a hospital if they could learn ahead of time their chances of complications for a certain procedure.

Other notable Healthgrades recognitions include:

Orthopedic

Recipient of the HealthGrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ in 2013

Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Joint Replacement for 5 Years in a Row (2009-2013)

Five-Star Recipient for Spine Surgery in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Total Knee Replacement for 5 Years in a Row (2009-2013)

Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (Spinal Fusion) in 2013

”This new national honor shines a light on Mission Regional Medical Center‘s dedication and commitment to the highest quality in orthopedic care,” said Javier Iruegas, CEO. “The country’s most respected agency continually recognize our orthopedic program as among the very best in the nation – which means people seeking orthopedic services at Mission Regional Medical Center receive truly exceptional care.”

“It is a great honor,” said Jose Marina, DO, Chief Orthopedic Surgeon, and Director of The Joint Replacement Institute. “It reflects the importance that our surgeons and the entire staff place on providing high quality care and outstanding service to each and every patient.”

For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 40 million Medicare hospitalization records for services performed from 2009 through 2011 at approximately 4,500 short-term, acute care hospitals nationwide. Patients being treated in hospitals receiving 5 stars have, on average, 61% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by hospitals receiving 1 star (based on 2009-2011 data across nine common procedures and diagnoses such as total knee replacement, gallbladder, and spine surgeries). Additionally, a total of 183,534 in-hospital complications could have been avoided if all hospitals performed at a 5-star level.

Earlier this year Mission Regional Medical Center’s Joint Replacement Institute earned a high distinction from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. The hospital was awarded The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for hip and knee replacement surgery by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety. This achievement allowed Mission Regional Medical Center to become the first hospital in Hidalgo County with such a distinction. “This demonstrates that MRMC is committed to going above and beyond the standards of care,” said Dr. Marina, Program Director.

Healthgrades independently measures hospitals based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of the analysis, and no hospital pays to be measured. Healthgrades risk adjusts for patient demographic characteristics and clinical risk factors, thereby taking into account how sick patients are upon admission.

More information on the American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com/quality.

For more information on the orthopedic services of Joint Replacement Institute at Mission Regional Medical Center or for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon, please call 956-323-1977.